They are always open — Aston Villa star explains how they broke Arsenal's defense

They are always open — Aston Villa star explains how they broke Arsenal's defense

Faruq Ibrahim 23:29 - 18.01.2025

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins reacted to their 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins has explained how they planned on exploiting Arsenal's defence after he scored to help his side clinch a point at the Emirates. 

The Gunners raced into a two-goal lead through Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, but a sensational eight minutes in the second-half, with goals from Youri Tielemans and Watkins, helped the Villans draw 2-2. 

What Watkins said 

Speaking after the game, the England international striker provided some insights into how they set up against Mikel Arteta's Gunners. 

The 28-year-old did not have the best first half. He explained that they played more directly in the first 45, and it was a major task to deal with the physicality of Gabriel.

"First half we went direct—Gabriel is a strong guy, so it is hard to hold the ball up against him,” Watkins said, per the BBC

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (Photo Credit: Aston Villa/X)

Watkins scored through a lapse in Arsenal's defence, which left him unmarked at the back post. The former Brentford man explained that it was planned, as they knew Arsenal’s man-for-man marking style meant they left spaces that could be exploited. 

"We knew they went man to man. There was chances there to be taken as they're always a little bit open.”

*When I got my goal, I felt we had enough time to push on and get a goal, but it was about being brave and making more passes.”

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